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Implant procedure is the best adviceDear Dr. Reitz: I wear an upper denture and have a few of my lower front teeth remaining. My dentist said it is time to have my remaining teeth extracted. He suggested a full denture that sits on implants. I like having my own teeth, but I don't want to postpone treatment if doing so causes additional damage. I know placing implants in my lower jaw will increase the cost of treatment, is the benefit worth the expense? - Mary Dear Mary: If your dentist wants to remove the remaining lower teeth they are either decayed or have extensive bone loss. Keeping them puts you at risk for a toothache or additional loss of bone that will ultimately support your lower denture. The fit and comfort of a lower full denture is dependent on both the skill of the dentist and the conditions in your mouth. Usually denture wearers have problems keeping lower dentures secure and comfortable. Dentistry now recommends the placement of at least two lower implants for every denture patient as a minimum requirement for adequate function and retention. Once a tooth is extracted the bone that held it in place begins to dissolve and remodel, resulting in less overall bone. If an implant is placed at the time of extraction or within a short time, it's possible to decrease the bone loss. From the bone's perspective, an implant is a good tooth substitute and gives the bone a reason to stay. Dental implants allow many treatment options from permanently attached teeth to a patient removable snap-in overdenture. In your case the least expensive implant option is the overdenture. At a minimum, it's recommended at least two implants be placed to provide denture stability. In fact a recent study found patients receiving lower dentures for the first time were more likely to be disappointed unless they had two implants for stability and retention. Your dentist will take molds of your mouth in order to fabricate the denture prior to having the teeth extracted. The lower denture can then be placed at the same time the remaining teeth are extracted, because no one wants to see you without teeth. The implants will be initially placed under the gums and given a few months to heal. Although new implant surface technology makes it possible to use an implant the same day it's placed, it's generally safer to wait until after the implant has fused to the bone before engaging the implant. This column is written by John Reitz, DDS, and does not represent the opinion of the Pennsylvania State Dental Board. Dr Reitz answers questions from readers. E-mail them via his Web site at reitzdds.com or mail to John Reitz, DDS, 30 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing PA 19610 John
V. Reitz, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. Copyright
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